The normative timing of life course events : is there really a "right" age?

Using a life course perspective, this thesis examines the preferred ages for the seven major life course events of first marriage, having a first and last child, finishing an education, becoming a grandparent, and retiring from the workforce; and how these preferences change through the life course. A mailed questionnaire was used to collect data from a random sample of 402 men and women in Western Nova Scotia. Four age cohorts were analyzed: 18 - 29, 30 - 44, 45 - 64, and 65 and older. It is hypothesized that the preferred timing of the above mentioned life events will vary by birth cohort, gender, religious affiliation, educational level, and rural or urban upbringing. The hypotheses were partially supported by the data. For each of the variables, a high number of respondents gave aright" age for the youngest ages to participate in events, however, the percentage for oldest age was somewhat lower. Although there was little statistical significance found for gender and religious affiliation, the preferred timing of life course events does vary by birth cohort, level of education, and rural or urban upbringing. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for age normative research and for future investigations.